Learn GTO preflop theory in MTT poker

A of hearts5 of spades

Wheel ace without a flush draw

Ace-Five Offsuit

A5o can complete the wheel and has the ace blocker, but it cannot make a flush with both hole cards. Its five kicker is the best of the wheel aces, yet better Ax hands still dominate its top pair.

Pocket33

How to play A5o by position and stack size

Recommended actionUTG8-maxUTG18-maxLJ6-maxHJ6-maxCO6-maxBTN6-maxSB6-max
100bb+FoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenLimp
40-100bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenLimp
27-40bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenLimp
20-26bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenOpen
16-19bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenJam
11-15bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenJamJam
7-10bbFoldFoldFoldFoldJamJamJam
6bb-FoldFoldJamJamJamJamJam
Open when:Late position and selected blind spots

The wheel potential supports wider late opens than higher offsuit weak aces.

3bet when:Selected blocker-driven spots

Use the ace blocker with a range plan, not as an automatic bluff.

Call when:Big blind defense or a good in-position price

A5o needs a favorable price because it lacks a flush draw.

Jam when:Short-stack chart support exists

The ace blocker can help a shove while A5o retains some raw equity.

Fold when:Facing a tight range or bad price

Top pair is still dominated by better aces.

Strong against

A of spades4 of hearts
A4o

A4o shares the Ace but has the weaker kicker, making a dominated pair that can still pay A5o.

Weak against

  • A of spadesK of hearts
    AKo

    AKo shares the Ace with the better kicker, so A5o can make a costly second-best pair.

Flop classes

K of spades4 of hearts2 of hearts
Wheel gutshot

K♠ 4♦ 2♥ gives A5o a gutshot to the wheel, not a made straight.

A of spades8 of hearts5 of hearts
Two pair

A♣ 8♦ 5♥ makes aces and fives with no flush draw.

A of spades9 of spades7 of hearts
Top pair

A♠ 9♣ 7♦ makes top pair, but A6o and stronger Ax hands have the better kicker.

Strategic notes

Versus 3-bets
  • Fold: Against a tight 3-bet, this offsuit holding is dominated too often.
  • Continue selectively: Big blind defense can use the wheel potential when the price is good.
Post-flop playability
  • Wheel gutshot: On a flop containing a 4 and a 2, A5o has a gutshot to the wheel through a 3.
  • Top pair: When the flop contains an ace without a five, A5o has a vulnerable top pair. When it contains both an ace and a five, A5o makes aces and fives.
  • Missed flop: A high-card flop without a wheel draw offers little reason to continue.

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